Harper, Joan Elizabeth
June 1923 - December 2004
A rose once grew where all could see
Sheltered beside a garden wall
And, as the days past swiftly by
It spread its branches, straight and tall.
One day, a beam of light shone through
A crevice that had opened wide
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
Then passed beyond to the other side.
Now, you who deeply feel its loss
Be comforted, the rose blooms there
It’s beauty even greater now
Nurtured by God’s own loving care.
Joan was born and raised in Goole, Yorkshire, England. At too early an age, her studies, and an Art Scholarship were interrupted by WWll and she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force attaining the rank of sergeant while serving at Leeming, England. During that tour of duty she met Ken Harper, a RCAF Bomber Command aircrew member. After the war he asked her to join him in Canada with a proposal of marriage. Together they raised a family of four while living in various locations across Canada and overseas.
Joan will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her family: two sisters in England, Marjorie and Hilda; her two sons Tim Harper (Charlotte), Jamie Harper; her daughter Deborah Dennis (Ben), her grandchildren Cara and Brian Dennis (Allison), and her great-granddaughter Ashley. Joan was pre-deceased by her husband Ken, and son Michael.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Piercy’s -Mt.Washington Funeral Home and Crematorium. A family Memorial Service will be held in the Spring when Tim and Charlotte’s daffodils bloom, on this side of the garden wall. . .